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02 Council Minutes (12/10/01)MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL December 10, 2001 The City Council of the City of Paris met in regular session, Monday, December 10, 2001, 6:00 P. M., Paris Junior College, Applied Technology Building, Room 1016, 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, Texas. Mayor Michael J. Pfiester called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: John F. Bell, Richard Manning, Joe E. McCarthy, John A. Carter, Jr., Kevin Gray and Benny Plata. Also present were City Manager Michael E. Malone, City Attorney Larry W. Schenk, and City Clerk Mattie Cunningham. The Invocation was given by Vickie Franklin with the Christian Fellowship Church. Mayor Pfiester asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of previous meetings, and Mayor Pro Tem Manning pointed out a correction of the date of the December, 2000, ice storm. The minutes were approved as amended. City Manager Malone announced that the City Council had been furnished minutes of the Paris Public Library Advisory Board and the Airport Advisory Board with no action being required. Also, there were minutes from the Paris Economic Development Corporation and there were a couple of items that were listed on the agenda that had been previously tabled for an appearance by Kenny Kammer and a related action item. City Manager Malone advised that if the City Council wishes to hear from Mr. Kammer, these items will have to be removed from the table. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, to remove Item 3-C (1) and Item 3-C (2) from the table. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Pfiester called for a personal appearance by Kenny Kammer on behalf of S. L Management, Inc., and KG Properties, LLP, requesting a tax abatement for an assisted living community development. Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 2 Kenny Kammer, 6625 Pecan Place, came forward and read a letter addressed to the Honorable Mayor, City Council, City Attorney and Staff, City Manager and Staff, Gary Vest from the Chamber of Commerce and the Paris Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Kammer said they first became aware of the Paris Enterprise Zone incentives this past August. He advised that they contacted the City Attorney's office, who provided them with a copy of the application and a description of the various incentives. The City Attorney's office directed him to Gary Vest at the Chamber of Commerce. He said after completing the application it was submitted to the Paris Economic Development Corporation for their study and recommendation to the City CounciL Mr. Kammer informed the City Council that the first time the application went before the Paris Economic Development Corporation, they were unable to get a motion to vote, so no decision was made. Mr. Kammer again submitted the application to the Paris Economic Development Corporation for a tax abatement incentive only. Again, they were unable to get a motion to vote on the tax abatement. Mr. Kammer had a list of questions for the City Council to answer. After a considerable amount of discussion, Mayor Pfiester directed City Attorney Schenk to furnish Mr. Kammer a written response to his questions. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Plata to table Agenda Item No. 3-C (1), personal appearance by Kenny Kammer on behalf of S. I. Management Inc., and KG Properties, LLP, requesting a tax abatement for an assisted living community development. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, to table action on Agenda Item No. 3-C(2), provide direction to city staff regarding a request for tax abatement by S. L Management, Inc., and KG Properties, LLP. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 3 Under Personal Appearance, Rondie Williams, 725 Sth Street N.W., representing the United Action Committee, came forward stating they were present to make a request to honor Mr. Leon Williams, who is the Manager and Director of Maxey Funeral Home. Mr. Leon Williams served on the Paris Independent School Board, Housing Review Board, Boy's Club, and served several other entities in the city. Mr. Williams presented a petition containing over 380 signatures in support of the name change of Record Park to Leon Williams Park. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Councilman Gray, directing city staff to prepare a resolution changing the name of Record Park to Leon Williams Park, and to bring the resolution back to the City Council at the January meeting. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Lisa McAllister, County Road 35840, Chicota, Texas, Executive Director of the Lamar County Chapter of the American Red Cross, appeared before the City Council requesting the donation by the City of Paris of the ambulance designated as Medic 4. Ms. McAllister gave the City Council a copy of the request for the ambulance. Ms. McAllister said this vehicle would be used by the American Red Cross to serve the citizens of Paris and Lamar County in community education and disaster service and as a first aid station. Ms. McAllister told the City Council that the Red Cross has raised $7,000.00 and would be willing to give this amount to the City of Paris. City Manager Malone advised the City Council that there are two items on the agenda that related to the ambulance. Agenda Item No. 4-13-1 (a), a resolution declaring the ambulance as surplus property and finding a public need and necessity in transferring said surplus property to the Lamar County Chapter of the American Red Cross; and Agenda Item No. 4- B-1 (b) Repealing Resolution No. 2001-184, authorizing the execution of a new purchase order for one (1) model year 2002 Ford F350 Type 1 Ambulance through the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments, and providing for funding in lieu of trade-in. The City Manager said at the last meeting, the City Council Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 4 passed a resolution to purchase the new ambulance from Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments and trade-in the old ambulance. He said the city has a contractual obligation with Wheeled-Coach. Kent Klinkerman, EMS Administrator for the City of Paris, came forward advising the City Council that he has contacted the Wheeled-Coach sales representative and has passed the request on to their chain-of-command, but has not received a reply. City Manager Malone said the trade-in allowance was $15,503.00. Mr. Klinkerman said he did not have a problem in giving the ambulance to the Red Cross other than the trade-in of $15,503.00, which would affect his budget. He also pointed out that this would also affect the contract that the city has with Lamar County. Mayor Pfiester advised that the city will present this information and request to Lamar County and bring it back at a future meeting. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, to table action on Agenda Item No. 4-13-1 (a), a resolution declaring the ambulance as surplus property and finding a public need and necessity in transferring said surplus property to the Lamar County Chapter of the American Red Cross; and Agenda Item No. 4- B-1 (b) Repealing Resolution No. 2001- 184, authorizing the execution of a new purchase order for one (1) model year 2002 Ford F350 Type 1 Ambulance through the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments, and providing for funding in lieu of trade-in. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. ORDINANCE NO. 2001-076 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 7-16 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS TO ADOPT THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AND THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AS THE APPLICABLE BUILDING AND Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 5 ELECTRICAL CODES FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE CITY OF PARIS AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR A REPEALER; PRESERVING PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WAS PRESENTED. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Carter, for adoption of the ordinance. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-190, stating the City of Paris's continued support of the Regional Controlled Substance Apprehension Program and the continuing efforts of the Tri-County Drug Task Force to target illicit controlled substance and organized criminal activity; making other findings and provisions related to the subject; and providing an effective date, was presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Bell, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-191, approving and authorizing a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Texas Narcotics Control Program, for a Regional Controlled Substance Apprehension Program Grant in the amount of $477,000.00, with the City of Paris providing $26,500.00 in matching funds; authorizing the execution of an interagency agreement; making other findings and provisions related to the subject; and declaring an effective date, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell for approval of the resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carter and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-192, authorizing the Paris Police Department and the Chief of Police to make application for, and certifying in conjunction with the Paris Police Department the need for funds or video and audio equipment for the purpose of compliance with Senate Bill 1074 and Chapter 2, Articles 2.131 Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 6 through 2.138, of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, relating to the prevention of racial profiling; making other findings and provisions related to the subject; and declaring an effective date, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-193, authorizing the filing a grant application with the Ark-Tex Council of Governments for a Regional Solid Waste Grants Program Grant; authorizing the Proj ect Director to act on behalf of the city of Paris in all matters related to the application; pledging that if a grant is received, the City of Paris will comply with the grant requirements of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the State of Texas; making other findings and provisions related to the subject; and declaring an effective date, was presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Gray, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-194, authorizing the execution of an application for a special community development Block Grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HLJD); accepting said grant award upon notice thereof; authorizing the execution of any and all documents necessary for acceptance and implementation of said grant upon notice thereof; authorizing the City to withdraw from the proj ect in the event grant funds made available do not cover all expenses; making other findings and provisions related to the subject; and declaring an effective date, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Plata, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Pfiester announced that the next item on the agenda was a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to negotiate and the Mayor to execute a professional services contract with a qualified attorney or attorneys for delinquent tax collection services for the City of Paris. Mayor Pfiester advised that this has been tabled at a previous meeting, and a motion to bring it from Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 7 the table was in order. A motion was made by Councilman Plata, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, to bring the above item from the table. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-195, authorizing the City Attorney to negotiate, and the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute and the City Clerk to attest to, a Professional Services Contract by and between the City of Paris and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, Pena & Sampson, LLP for Delinquent Tax Collection Services, was presented. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Plata, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-196, authorizing the City Manager and the City Attorney to negotiate, the City Manager to execute, and the City Clerk to attest to a professional services contract by and between the City of Paris and Reed, Stowe & Yanke, professional consultants, for the performance of a water and wastewater rate study for the City of Paris, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Carter, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-197, authorizing the City Manager and the Finance Director to solicit competitive proposals from qualified professional consultants for the performance of a water lost and unaccounted for study in the City's water accounting and operating systems to ensure efficient and effective water service, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Carter to approve the resolution contingent on the fact that the city can find the funds in the budget or the Certificate of Obligation money to conduct the study. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bell and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-199, approving the form of Change Order No. 2 to the contract with Richard Drake Construction Company for the "Cox Field Airport Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 8 Preparation of Site Work Around New Nested T-Hangar Proj ect," to extend the storm sewer to drain the area west of the new nested T-Hangar, providing for a net increase of $3,012.00 in the contract price, for a total contract price of $118,164.00, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Carter, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-198, awarding the bid and authorizing the execution of a contract for the Replacement of an 8" Water Main at Cox Field Airport to B. Bray Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $46, 826.50, was presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Carter, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-200, authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, a lease purchase agreement upon such terms and conditions as contained therein, at the price of $169,958.00, plus interest at the rate of 5.48% and costs, financing the purchase of one (1) model year 2002, 4-wheeled excavator for use in the Parks and Rights-of-Way Division of the Public Works Department, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Plata, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-201, authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, a Lease Purchase Agreement upon such terms and conditions as contained therein, at the price of $95,849.00, plus interest at the rate of 5.574% and costs, financing the purchase of one (1) model year 2002 oil distributor truck for use in the Parks and Street Division of the Public Works Department, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-202, authorizing the purchase of one (1) Model Year 2002, 4-Wheel Drive Backhoe/Loader for use in the Water and Sewer Divisions Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 9 of the Public Works Department be advertised for bids to be received after due notice at the office of the City Manager of the City of Paris, City Hall, 135 1 st Street S. E., Paris, Texas 75460, until 3:00 o'clock p.m. on the 8th day of January, 2002 at which time said bids will be opened, tabulated, and then presented to the City Council for the purpose of letting such bid, was presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Gray, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-203, authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, a purchase order for two (2) model year 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors for a total purchase price of $48,249.93, which represents the cost of the vehicles, which is $47,496.00, plus the cost of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Government fee, which is $753.93, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2002-204, authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, a purchase order for one (1) model year 2002 Chevrolet Impala for a total purchase price of $17,766.79, which represents the cost of the vehicles, which is $17,487.00, plus the cost of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments fee, which is $279.79, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Councilman Gray, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-205, authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, a purchase order for one (1) model year 2002 Crown Victoria with police chassis for a total purchase price of $19,535.00, which represents the cost of the vehicles, which is $19,847.56, plus the cost of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments fee, which is $312.56, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Councilman Gray, for approval of the resolution. The Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 10 motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-206, authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, the tax resale deed and any and all documents necessary to convey the property described as Lot 5, Block 14, Gibbons and Braden addition, being number 126417th Street S. E., was presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Gray, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-207, authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, the tax resale deed and any and all documents necessary to convey the property described as Lots 5& 6, Block l; Lots 1& 2, Block 2; Block 2; Lots 5& 6, Block 3; and Lots l, 2, 3, & 4, Block 3, South Park Addition, being located in the 400 Block of Orange Street, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Plata, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-208, authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, the tax resale deed and any and all documents necessary to convey the property described as Lot 1 and part of Lots 2, 3, and 4, Block O, Fuller-Dohoney Addition, located in the 1100 Block of Long Street and Campbell Street, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Plata, seconded by Councilman Bell, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-209, authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Paris, the tax resale deed and any and all documents necessary to convey the property described as Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, Block 5, Cedar Hill Addition, located in the 1000 Block of 28th Street N. W., was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Councilman Plata, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 11 Resolution No. 2001-210, casting the City of Paris's 882 votes for Richard Manning as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lamar County Appraisal District, and directing the City Clerk to execute the City of Paris's ballot and deliver the same to the Lamar County Appraisal District, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Gray, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2001-211, reappointing Melba Harris, as a member of the Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission of the City of Paris, for a term of three (3) years, beginning January l, 2002, and ending December 31, 2004, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Plata, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. On the recommendation by the City Manager to table Agenda Item No. 6-W, a resolution appointing members to the Paris-Lamar County Board of Health, and Agenda Item No. 6-X, appointing a member to the Traffic Commission, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Plata, to table action on the above resolutions. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. City Manager Malone announced that the next item on the agenda was consideration of and action on the following Aviation Permit requests for 2002, and advised that they have been recommended by the Airport Advisory Board: A J. R. Aviation (1) Sale of Aviation Petroleum Products. (2) Pilot Training. (3) Aircraft Rental. (4) Maintenance Airframe. (5) Maintenance Power Plants. B Knox Flying Service (1) Agricultural Operations. Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 12 C. Jimmy D. Smyers. (1) Maintenance Airframe. (2) Maintenance Power Plants. (3) Aircraft Sales. A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, to approve the above Aviation Permits for 2002 as recommended by the Airport Advisory Board. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Pfiester called for discussion and providing guidance to City staff regarding financing of the cost of a new Police/Municipal Courts Building. Karl Louis, Chief of Police, came forward showing the City Council the architectural rendering that Brinkley- Sargent Architects made available. Chief Louis said the original proj ection of cost was 8.5 million dollars for the facility. Chief Louis reported that he had visited with the Lamar County Judge and Sheriff and they have tentatively agreed to consider doing a contractual agreement with the city to provide municipal jail services for an annual contractual fee. Chief Louis said that by omitting a jail and making other changes, the cost of the facility could be brought down to around five million dollars. He advised that he has also talked to several people and has had several offers of free land to build the facility on. Chief Louis said the land that he personally liked was situated on the northwest loop and has road frontage. Chief Louis advised that he had also talked to Gary Vest who told him that the Paris Industrial Foundation has a one hundred acre piece of land and would give the city five to seven acres to build our facility on. Mr. Vest felt it would be the type of facility to attract industry and other business to this industrial park which will be located to the west of the old Superior Switchboard building. Chief Louis advised that this could be a cooperative venture between the City of Paris and the Paris Industrial Foundation. Chief Louis advised that Mr. Vest said that PEDC would be willing to take on a portion of the cost of developing the infrastructure. The facility as now proposed will cost approximately 4 million, eight hundred ninety seven Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 13 thousand dollars. City Manager Malone said this cost would not include the cost of moving, the cost of moving the communications, site preparation, nor the extension of utilities. Chief Louis explained that the department's calls continue to increase and that in this one year period they have made over 2,800 arrests. He stated that the department has the technology that is needed and the personnel that is needed, and have everything they need except the appropriate facility. Chief Louis asked the City Council for consideration to allow this project to go forward. Dan Almon with Southwest Securities, financial advisor for the City, was present. He discussed the issuance of certificates of obligation as well as the issuance of bonds through an election. He noted that the present interest rate is one of the lowest in forty years. Mayor Pfiester stated that if the city went through the time it takes to have a bond election, the interest rate may be on the rise by March. He felt that it would be better to issue certificates of obligations in order to get the project moving. Mr. Almon explained that the difference in the certificate of obligation bonds and the general obligation bonds is the time it would take to hold the election, which would be approximately four months. On a question by Councilman Manning regarding the increase in taxes, Mr. Almon said it would be close to five cents per $100.00 of valuation if the city issued the 6 million dollars in certificates of obligation. After further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Gray to issue the six million dollars certificate of obligation bonds. The motion was seconded by Councilman Carter, and carried 6 ayes, 1 nay, Mayor Pro Tem Manning voting no. Mr. Almon said that when the city actually gives him instructions through the Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 14 City Manager to reappear at a meeting, they will start the process of giving intent to issue the bonds. Mr. Almon said they would need to have a real specific budget for the six million, or if the budget turns out to be $5,980,000.00, that is what it needs to be because he has to actually name the projects and show what the estimated cost will be. Mr. Almon explained the process that will be needed in order to issue the certificates of obligation bonds. City Attorney Schenk advised that the city needs to have a contract in place with Lamar County for municipal jail services before the bonds are issued. It was the consensus of the City Council for the City Attorney to go forward and prepare a contract for j ail facilities with Lamar County, and allow him sixty days to get back with the City Council. Terry Townsend, Director of Public Works, came forward telling the City Council that last year the Engineering department and the Public Works department purchased software from George Butler and Associates, which will help them track work orders and requests coming in from the public. The software has been installed and there are a number of reports that are now available. Mr. Townsend advised that the software is helping him be accountable for the employees and what they are doing and how many work orders take place during the month and during the year. Mr. Townsend gave the City Council an example of the work orders and how they were handled. Mr. Townsend discussed with the City Council the photographs of Martin Luther King Park which illustrates the area where the playground equipment will be installed on January 2& 3, 2002. Mr. Townsend also furnished a picture of the vandalism that occurred at Culbertson Park. He pointed out the writing on the tennis courts and the cut nets that actually happened the previous night. The nets has been burned at the same time the playground equipment was burned. Mr. Townsend included pictures of the 24 inch main that took about four days to repair. He also showed the Council pictures of a project on Clement Road and pictures of a rock or concrete that was removed from a Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 15 twelve inch sewer line at Collegiate Drive and Clarksville Street by Paris Junior College. City Manager Malone said he thought the vandalism incident that took place in Culbertson Park would be featured in Crime Stoppers with a reward offered. Councilman Plata said that he plays a lot of tennis at Culbertson Park and he felt that the location of basketball courts across the road from Culbertson Park contribute to a lot of the vandalism that is occurring. He said at night time there was a lot of cursing and loud talking from the people playing basketball. Councilman Plata said the situation got better when Dick Boots cut the goals down, but now that they are back up the problems have started again. He suggested removing the basketball goals from the park. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to allow the Director of Public Works to handle the situation. City Manager Malone reported that beginning January 1, 2002, the Paris Public Library will contract with Learning Express. There will be a data base available providing practice tests for patrons to take online, including tests such as 4th grade multiplication, 8th grade reading, adult basis skills tests, civil service exams, cosmetology licenses exams, EMT basic tests, Paramedic EMS tests, firefighters tests, as well as many others. City Manager Malone said there had been a press release about the Sante Fe Depot. It pointed out that all of the contracts had been signed, the notice to proceed had been issued, and that Wendall Moore would be the Construction Manager. City Manager Malone said the hangar that is under construction at Cox Field Airport is expected to be completed sometime next week, and following that, there will be two inches of asphalt applied to the taxiway around the hangar. Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 16 City Manager Malone noted that Finance Director Gene Anderson has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded to the City of Paris by the Government Finance Officer's Association of the United States and Canada for Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of government account and financial reporting. It represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. Gene Anderson came forward advising the City Council that he has made progress on the use of Visa and Master cards for citizens to make payments to the City. He said it is going to be more complicated than the traditional commercial accounts. Mr. Anderson advised that he has been in touch with Lynk Systems, Incorporated who work in the Dallas and Ft. Worth area. They handle cities of the size of Paris. He has set up a meeting with them this week to work out the final details and mechanics of credit card billing for the City. Mr. Anderson said the Water Billing Office will be the first place that this service will be used, and when the mechanics have been worked out, then it will be provided for payments to the Municipal Court. City Manager Malone said that the Police Department currently has three officers in the Police Academy and there are two openings. He said that a Civil Service test was given and nine people took the test. Eight of the applicants passed the test and four of those failed the physical agility test. He advised that there is one opening for a Police Dispatcher and the city is currently taking applications for that position. They have been working on the computer aided dispatch system and making some progress with that. He advised that many of the programs were working properly. City Manager Malone reported that the Police Department has arrested over 2,800 people this year, which is up from 2,600 arrests last year. The City Manager reported that eighteen firefighters are taking EMT training at Station No. One. Paris Junior College is acting as the provider for this course which began in October, 2001 and is on schedule. Minutes of the City Council December 14, 2001 Page 17 Mr. Malone reported that EMS is upgrading the life-pack 12 defibrillator monitor to include the end-tidal CO2 exhale carbon dioxide assessment feature. This should be completed by January l, 2002. City Manager Malone said the EMS Alert Paging System will be upgraded in the coming weeks. City Manager Malone told the City Council that the 2001 Fill the Boot for the Lamar County Children will be held December 20, 21, and 22, 2002, on the Wal Mart parking lot. Ronnie Grooms, Fire Chief, was present stating that at the November meeting, he discussed the disposition of the 1968 fire truck, and he was under the impression that it was going to be addressed at the December meeting. Chief Grooms advised that the city is going to lose the window of opportunity if the city waits much later. Mayor Pfiester advised that it will be placed on the January agenda. There being no further business, a motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Plata, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. MICHAEL J. PFIESTER, MAYOR ATTEST: MATTIE CUNNINGHAM, CITY CLERK